From left, In the Garden group members Michael Brower, Sarah Wright, Kay Pylant, Marta Cummings and Emily Austin laid cardboard, leaves and compost in Becky’s Garden this past October. The garden will be planted at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 23. Photo provided by the Syracuse Public Library.

News Release

SYRACUSE — Everyone is invited to help Syracuse Public Library’s nature group — In the Garden — plant Becky’s Garden at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 23, in the Community Roots outdoor space. This garden will honor long-time Syracuse Public Library librarian, Becky Brower, who died in June 2023.

Brower had been passionate about native plants and pollinators, and the garden will continue her mission by spreading an appreciation for the natural world. The garden will feature educational signage about each native plant in the garden and the pollinators it supports.

The group has been seeking specific native plant donations for the garden, and a list of plants is available on the Becky’s Garden web page, syracuse.lib.in.us/beckys-garden.html. If interested in donating a plant from the list, email Sarah Wright at [email protected]. She is coordinating donations to ensure as many people’s plant donations can be added into the garden as possible. Plant donors will be contacted by May 20 with the plants they should bring.

Shari Wagner Writing Workshop

Syracuse Public Library will welcome former Indiana Poet Laureate Shari Wagner for a special writing workshop at 1 p.m. Friday, May 24, in the downstairs meeting room. “Poetry as Memoir: Exploring the Terrain” will offer workshop participants insights into exploring memories with the tools of the poet.

This writing workshop is made possible through a grant from the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards, powered by Indiana Humanities.

Refreshments will be provided during this 1-1/2 hour long program.

Knit and Crochet Club

Fiber artists can bring their current projects to the Knit and Crochet Club at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, in the upstairs sitting area. Those looking to learn how to knit or crochet can also attend and receive guidance from seasoned knitters and crocheters.

Teen Café

Teens can relax during the teen café from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday, May 20, in the Rosalyn Jones Room. In addition to snacks, there will be games, coloring pages and more available for teens to enjoy.

Memorial Day Closure

Syracuse Public Library will close Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. While the library is closed, patrons can use SPL’s resources — Libby and Hoopla — to check out digital materials.